Jews and War

The Maccabees realized that there is a time to fight.

The miracle of Hanukkah wasn’t performed by God alone. The Maccabees played a crucial role in defeating the Syrian Greeks on the battlefields. It was a partnership of human courage and Divine guidance. Matisyahu and his sons prevailed because they were wise enough to recognize that although Jews revere peace, we acknowledge that there may be a time that demands we go to war.

And that was not an easy thing for our people to admit – neither then, nor today.

Psychologists tell us there are basically two ways in which we can cope with the world: fight or flight. Encountering any difficulty, one can either attempt to cope, grapple and wrestle with an issue and overcome it, or one can flee and give up at the outset.

Some may rationalize flight as the correct religious response. Let me not do anything, and if God really desires a certain outcome, let Him handle it to His satisfaction.

As I heard Rabbi Soleveichik once explain it, this was the way of Jacob, even from the time he was in the womb. Jacob had actually been conceived first. He should’ve been the one to be born before his brother. Technically, he was the eldest, with all the attendant privileges of primogeniture. His brother Esau, however, pushed himself forward and forced himself over Jacob. “And after that came forth his brother and his hand had hold on Esau’s heel and his name was called Jacob” [Genesis 25:26] . The very name Jacob comes from the Hebrew word related to heel. Jacob was holding on to his brother’s heel; he begins his life being trampled upon, unfairly deprived by force of his rights.

Jacob’s life continued to unfold, guided by the unspoken philosophy that “nice Jewish boys don’t fight.” His twin brother Esau fooled father Isaac into thinking that he was the more pious and deserving son - and were it not for the intervention of his mother, Jacob would not have said a word in the face of this injustice.

When Jacob fell in love with Rachel only to have his father-in-law switch brides and trick him into a marriage with Leah, his response was to quietly accept the obligation to work for yet another seven years in order to earn the hand of the woman that was already rightly his.

Passivity in the face of evil and the silent acceptance of ill treatment defined Jacob’s theology. Jacob eventually realized his error in the dramatic story that so altered his perception that it was responsible for a change of name, a change that acknowledged that his newfound insight literally turned him into a new person.

Left totally alone and attacked by a mysterious assailant the commentators identify as the evil representative of Esau, Jacob realizes he has no alternative but to fight. At the end of a long night of battle, Jacob is left limping but nonetheless receives a blessing. He is now no longer the stepped-upon Jacob, but from this time forward is Israel – “because you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed” [Genesis 32:29].

Jacob may have suffered a blow, but he won the greater battle – the battle over his unwillingness previously to engage in combat. Jacob won the greatest victory of all – he finally managed to conquer himself.

And, explain the commentators, if he was left limping, what of it? That would simply mean he would never again be able to run away from anyone or any place, not even from himself.

The name change of Jacob to Israel differs from that of Abram to Abraham. Once Abram became Abraham he would never again be called by his original name. Abraham identified his new mission as “the father of many nations,” the first one to bring monotheism to the consciousness of the world. That name change was exclusive.

Peace is the ultimate goal. But until the messianic era, war remains an unfortunate necessity.

However even after Jacob became Israel, when the pacifist became the fighter, we still find him at times referred to by his earlier name. The reason is obvious. It is what was stated so beautifully by Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes: “There is a time for peace and there is a time for war.” Both names are to be used, both modalities are to be employed.

Peace is the ultimate goal. But until the messianic era, war remains an unfortunate necessity.

We wish we would only have to imitate the way of Jacob who sat peacefully in his tent dedicating his life to study. But as long as there remain those like Esau who threaten our existence we know we must assume the identity of Israel and do battle with our enemies.

The Maccabees understood this. While they surely would have preferred to lead the peaceful life of priests, they recognized the responsibility placed upon them by the threat of a Greek-Syrian army bent on their destruction.

Of course nice Jewish boys don’t want to fight. That is not our way. But the world needs to know that we are the nation of Israel, defending the land of Israel. And like our forefather Israel, we will fight for survival. Like the Maccabees, Israel will go to war when it’s necessary. That’s because we love peace so much that we are ready to fight for it.

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About the Author

Rabbi Benjamin Blech, a frequent contributor to Aish, is a Professor of Talmud at Yeshiva University and an internationally recognized educator, religious leader, and lecturer. Author of 14 highly acclaimed books with combined sales of over a half million copies, his newest, The World From A Spiritual Perspective, is a collection of over 100 of his best Aish articles. See his website at www.benjaminblech.com.

Visitor Comments: 13

(12)
S.Levy,
September 23, 2013 10:39 PM

WWIII

THERE IS NO POSSIBLE PEACE WITH ARABS. They don´t want it, and to illude ourselves is a repetition of Munich 1938, or as Churchill said to Chamberlain (and Daladier) "...between dishonor and war you have chosen dishonor, and now you shall have war..." ISRAEL MUST NOT bend over to the EU, UN, or other World organization demands! The hell with the rest of the world, Israel is sovereign and ALL JEWS IN THE WORLD COUNT AND DEPEND ON IT. Better WWIII than give in.

(11)
adakwo yakubu,
December 15, 2012 1:56 PM

let be peace in the world

rabi splendo to your concerned over the peace keep welming

(10)
Naomi,
December 12, 2012 2:12 PM

Misread psychology

Rabbi Blech states that humans have only 2 possible reactions to challenges: fight or flight. These are the only 2 reactions possible for animals stuck on the evolutionary ladder at survival.Humans, at least evolved, conscious humans, also have reflection, mindfulness and reason.
When faced with challenge, we can pause, step back, look at the big picture and make choices that will have the best outcomes down the road.
In the face of the radical Arab desire to annihilate Israel, it is incumbent upon Jews are Israel to take a more enlightened stance in order to intercept the cycle of attack and retaliation. War never begets peace for very long.

(9)
maduka jonas,
December 11, 2012 9:40 PM

His name is peace

we most live as jews,and reclaimed all our promise land God gave us.amen

(8)
Alex,
December 10, 2012 3:35 AM

...such wisdom.

Thank you Rabbi, for your insight. Stay well.

(7)
Sandrine,
December 9, 2012 6:06 PM

Only to be free

Fighting for Peace And Liberty is the way of Life. Long Life for You.

(6)
Ian,
December 9, 2012 6:02 PM

Confused

Why did the Jews practice pacivity for 2000 years and only after the Warsaw uprising did we fight back when the Torah explicitly tells us to go to war to defend our selves ??? Why do we still try run away from our problem or negotiate with enemies instead of fighting back and destroying them ?? Very confused !!!

(5)
Michael Perloff,
December 9, 2012 5:44 PM

Relevance of Chanukah

It's relevant today to point out that most of the story of Chanukah happened in the historic Jewish heartland of Judea and Samaria.
Judea and Samaria were part of the former Ottoman Empire territory designated in 1920 at the San Remo conference as the “reconstituted” national home for the Jewish people. It remained so even twenty seven years later when a recommended reduction of the allocation was unanimously rejected by the Arabs.
A few years after the 1948 Jordanian invasion of that territory and throughout the subsequent 19 year illegal occupation, the Arab invaders renamed it the West Bank of Jordan. After their expulsion in 1967 many called the area the West Bank as if the Arab invasion and occupation had legitimacy.
It’s ironic and immoral that some of those celebrating Hanukkah today insist that Jews have no right to live on the very land on which the Maccabees fought to preserve the Jewish people.
Happy Chanukah!

(4)
Tomas,
December 9, 2012 1:33 PM

an excellent text

Rabbi Blech is perhaps my most favorite poster on AISH.com, and this article is no exception. It provides us with a fitting response to pacifists who so much enjoy taking away people's and nations' right for self-defense.

benji,
December 9, 2012 4:25 PM

Tomas..right on..you cant have peace with those who dont want it!

Can one make peace with a crocodile?

(3)
Kimberly Naranjo,
December 9, 2012 1:29 PM

The article is wonderful and I support Israel in every sense. I just have one question. How is it possible for a rabbi to know that Jacob was conceived first and what is the relevance? They were twins.

(2)
Anonymous,
December 9, 2012 8:27 AM

fighting for peace

todah rabah for this encouraging text, i find myself exactly in this position needing to fight against the difficulties in life. this text did remind me that the fight is a better choice than just to give up as a lamb.

(1)
Anonymous,
December 9, 2012 12:22 AM

Incredible!

This is so inspiring and makes me so proud to be Jewish. Thank you so much for this, Rabbi Blech!

I just got married and have an important question: Can we eat rice on Passover? My wife grew up eating it, and I did not. Is this just a matter of family tradition?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

The Torah instructs a Jew not to eat (or even possess) chametz all seven days of Passover (Exodus 13:3). "Chametz" is defined as any of the five grains (wheat, spelt, barley, oats, and rye) that came into contact with water for more than 18 minutes. Chametz is a serious Torah prohibition, and for that reason we take extra protective measures on Passover to prevent any mistakes.

Hence the category of food called "kitniyot" (sometimes referred to generically as "legumes"). This includes rice, corn, soy beans, string beans, peas, lentils, peanuts, mustard, sesame seeds and poppy seeds. Even though kitniyot cannot technically become chametz, Ashkenazi Jews do not eat them on Passover. Why?

Products of kitniyot often appear like chametz products. For example, it can be hard to distinguish between rice flour (kitniyot) and wheat flour (chametz). Also, chametz grains may become inadvertently mixed together with kitniyot. Therefore, to prevent confusion, all kitniyot were prohibited.

In Jewish law, there is one important distinction between chametz and kitniyot. During Passover, it is forbidden to even have chametz in one's possession (hence the custom of "selling chametz"). Whereas it is permitted to own kitniyot during Passover and even to use it - not for eating - but for things like baby powder which contains cornstarch. Similarly, someone who is sick is allowed to take medicine containing kitniyot.

What about derivatives of kitniyot - e.g. corn oil, peanut oil, etc? This is a difference of opinion. Many will use kitniyot-based oils on Passover, while others are strict and only use olive or walnut oil.

Finally, there is one product called "quinoa" (pronounced "ken-wah" or "kin-o-ah") that is permitted on Passover even for Ashkenazim. Although it resembles a grain, it is technically a grass, and was never included in the prohibition against kitniyot. It is prepared like rice and has a very high protein content. (It's excellent in "cholent" stew!) In the United States and elsewhere, mainstream kosher supervision agencies certify it "Kosher for Passover" -- look for the label.

Interestingly, the Sefardi Jewish community does not have a prohibition against kitniyot. This creates the strange situation, for example, where one family could be eating rice on Passover - when their neighbors will not. So am I going to guess here that you are Ashkenazi and your wife is Sefardi. Am I right?

Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Moses ben Nachman (1194-1270), known as Nachmanides, and by the acronym of his name, Ramban. Born in Spain, he was a physician by trade, but was best-known for authoring brilliant commentaries on the Bible, Talmud, and philosophy. In 1263, King James of Spain authorized a disputation (religious debate) between Nachmanides and a Jewish convert to Christianity, Pablo Christiani. Nachmanides reluctantly agreed to take part, only after being assured by the king that he would have full freedom of expression. Nachmanides won the debate, which earned the king's respect and a prize of 300 gold coins. But this incensed the Church: Nachmanides was charged with blasphemy and he was forced to flee Spain. So at age 72, Nachmanides moved to Jerusalem. He was struck by the desolation in the Holy City -- there were so few Jews that he could not even find a minyan to pray. Nachmanides immediately set about rebuilding the Jewish community. The Ramban Synagogue stands today in Jerusalem's Old City, a living testimony to his efforts.

It's easy to be intimidated by mean people. See through their mask. Underneath is an insecure and unhappy person. They are alienated from others because they are alienated from themselves.

Have compassion for them. Not pity, not condemning, not fear, but compassion. Feel for their suffering. Identify with their core humanity. You might be able to influence them for the good. You might not. Either way your compassion frees you from their destructiveness. And if you would like to help them change, compassion gives you a chance to succeed.

It is the nature of a person to be influenced by his fellows and comrades (Rambam, Hil. De'os 6:1).

We can never escape the influence of our environment. Our life-style impacts upon us and, as if by osmosis, penetrates our skin and becomes part of us.

Our environment today is thoroughly computerized. Computer intelligence is no longer a science-fiction fantasy, but an everyday occurrence. Some computers can even carry out complete interviews. The computer asks questions, receives answers, interprets these answers, and uses its newly acquired information to ask new questions.

Still, while computers may be able to think, they cannot feel. The uniqueness of human beings is therefore no longer in their intellect, but in their emotions.

We must be extremely careful not to allow ourselves to become human computers that are devoid of feelings. Our culture is in danger of losing this essential aspect of humanity, remaining only with intellect. Because we communicate so much with unfeeling computers, we are in danger of becoming disconnected from our own feelings and oblivious to the feelings of others.

As we check in at our jobs, and the computer on our desk greets us with, "Good morning, Mr. Smith. Today is Wednesday, and here is the agenda for today," let us remember that this machine may indeed be brilliant, but it cannot laugh or cry. It cannot be happy if we succeed, or sad if we fail.

Today I shall...

try to remain a human being in every way - by keeping in touch with my own feelings and being sensitive to the feelings of others.

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